Martial Conquest of the Nine Desolates
Chapter 148 - 146 Zhao Qian’s Cultivation

Chapter 148: Chapter 146 Zhao Qian’s Cultivation

Originally hopeful to break into the top three, Wentian’s path in the grand competition came to an abrupt end due to encountering Xiao Ye in the third round, a turn of events that can only be described as tragic.

The atmosphere at the venue also reached its peak due to the showdown between the two, with cries of astonishment filling the air.

Especially when Xiao Ye displayed his Physical Body Power, his invincible sweeping posture left a deep impression on the many disciples.

Step by step, Xiao Ye climbed over Wentian, becoming the biggest dark horse of this competition, with no doubt about his charging into the top three, he might even have the possibility to contend for first place.

As Xiao Ye stepped off the stage, the startled disciples came to their senses, then started discussing in low voices.

"Who would have thought that Xiao Ye could be so strong that even Wentian is no match for him."

"Yes, Xiao Ye’s strength is comparable to the Late Stage of the Innate Realm Ninth Layer, he might even win first place in the competition."

"I think winning first place might be difficult, have you all forgotten the unfathomable Zhao Qian? He hasn’t even shown his true strength yet."

As soon as these words were uttered, someone immediately nodded in agreement.

Zhao Qian, a favored disciple of the Great Elder and the heavenly pride of the Chongyang Sect, valued by the Vice Sect Leader, surely could not be inferior to Wentian.

Xiao Ye!

Zhao Qian!

No matter what, these two have become the hot candidates for the championship, standing at the peak level of Direct Disciples; the dazzling brilliance they emit makes other Direct Disciples seem like mere foils.

Besides, both of them are now nineteen years old, known as the supreme among their peers, the destined rivals!

Zhao Qian’s expression hardened for a moment, his body emanating a cold aura, fists clenched with a cracking sound, even he could no longer remain calm after witnessing Xiao Ye’s strength.

He couldn’t imagine that the young boy from the mountains, who had knelt from his mere presence, could one day rise to a level comparable to his.

This was unacceptable to him!

Moreover, this Direct Disciples’ grand competition meant a great deal to him; only by securing first place could he smoothly become the Young Master.

"You ant, I must kill you!" Zhao Qian’s eyes glittered with a bloody hue, murderous intent pervaded, significantly lowering the surrounding temperature.

"This damn brat, really gave me a big scare." The Fourth Elder smiled, finally reassured after witnessing Xiao Ye’s strength.

"Xiao Ye, Ye Xiao, I should have realized earlier, the young talents in Black Dragon Country who cultivated the Four Tripod Heavenly Technique, could probably be counted on one hand."

The Great Elder had a bitter smile on his face, admitting moments when even he misjudged, letting the Fourth Elder take advantage.

"Now, the Vice Sect Leader must be restless." The Great Elder silently glanced at the Vice Sect Leader seated there, only to find his gaze deep and extremely calm, seemingly unconcerned about Zhao Qian.

"Could it be that Zhao Qian is capable enough to defeat Xiao Ye?" Doubts rose in the Great Elder’s heart, but then he shook his head, no longer dwelling on these thoughts.

With the strengths of these two, a direct confrontation was inevitable sooner or later; it would be seen in due time.

...

"Junior Brother, your strength..." When Xiao Ye returned, Bing Ya was still in shock.

The little Junior Brother she had once dominated had now surpassed her.

"Hehe, Senior Sister, after I defeat Zhao Qian, you better not forget the agreement between us." Xiao Ye grinned, indeed he was looking for an opportunity to get back at Bing Ya.

Hearing Xiao Ye mention this, Bing Ya’s ears reddened, and she quickly snorted coldly, turning her head away, not wanting Xiao Ye to see her embarrassed state.

"Ah, how did I get myself into this." Bing Ya sighed helplessly in her heart.

The third round of the grand competition continued, but due to Xiao Ye, the subsequent matches failed to arouse much interest from many disciples.

It was only when Zhao Qian appeared that everyone’s spirits were lifted, with many unconsciously turning their gazes towards Xiao Ye.

By then, they already considered these two as fated rivals.

Xiao Ye watched all this with a calm expression.

"Junior Brother Zhao Qian, please go easy." Zhao Qian’s opponent was quite inferior to Wentian, but his cultivation had also reached the Early Stage of Innate Realm Ninth Layer.

The Direct Disciple, recalling Zhao Qian’s scene of defeating his opponent in seconds in the previous round, felt a chill.

Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Qian had already vanished from his spot, and like the previous round, he neatly swatted his opponent away with a palm strike.

Seeing this, the crowd was greatly disappointed, many started cursing, that Direct Disciple was too useless, not even able to make Zhao Qian show his true strength.

After sending his opponent flying, Zhao Qian’s eyes shot out two divine radiances that pierced the void, bombarding towards Xiao Ye.

This was a peculiar combat technique Zhao Qian had accidentally obtained, which could hide attacks within the gaze and strike the opponent, making it hard to defend.

"Hmph!"

Xiao Ye snorted coldly, with a flick of his finger, a terrifying airwave was instantly drawn in the air, colliding with the two divine radiances, disappearing into the void.

Although Xiao Ye had not cultivated any Finger Technique, his current Physical Body Power meant that his whole body was a weapon, and any casual move was comparable to a Fourth Grade Battle Skill.

Seeing Xiao Ye actually neutralizing his attack, Zhao Qian’s expression slightly changed, and he turned to leave the stage.

"What comes around goes around, now take this move from me!" Xiao Ye swung his hand, and a powerful surge of Martial Arts True Intent soared into the sky, rapidly raising the temperature in the area.

Fifteen Flame Lotuses swiftly launched forward, transforming into a sea of fire that engulfed Zhao Qian.

"You’re courting death!" From within the sea of fire, Zhao Qian bellowed, stepping out of the flames, his white robe billowing, with a chilling murderous intent targeting Xiao Ye.

"Is it only allowed for you to sneak attack me, and not for me to do the same to you?"

"Zhao Qian, do you think I, Xiao Ye, am still the same as before, someone you can easily bully?" Xiao Ye’s hair danced wildly as his surging blood qi stirred the Nine-layered Heaven, invoking changes in the wind and clouds.

The two peak direct disciples confronted each other, with visible sparks of electricity, their terrifying aura causing the air itself to stop flowing.

The spectating disciples became spirited, their eyes gleaming, were the two about to clash now?

"Stop, both of you will have a chance to duel." The Great Elder arrived at the scene, speaking in a cold voice.

"Hmph!"

Zhao Qian retracted his gaze, then turned and walked back, with Xiao Ye following suit by withdrawing his aura.

This left the watching disciples somewhat disappointed, but it also made them look forward to the moment when these two would compete even more.

After several more duels, Bing Ya was the last to go on stage, dominantly defeating her opponent, officially ending the third round and the top ten direct disciples were decided.

"Now, as it is late, tomorrow we will proceed with the fourth and fifth rounds of the competition." The Great Elder declared.

The many disciples were startled, only then realizing it was already evening, and the competition had lasted for a whole day.

"Ahh, that’s truly unsatisfying."

"Don’t worry, tomorrow’s fourth round will filter out the top five for the competition, and the fifth round will be the final contest to determine the top three, which will be the main event."

The many disciples left, still hungry for more, talking excitedly about tomorrow’s matches.

"Junior brother, let’s go," Bing Ya said.

Xiao Ye nodded, glancing towards the Vice Sect Leader’s position, but discovered only an empty chair remaining there. He also lost sight of Zhao Qian within the crowd.

Xiao Ye slightly frowned, knowing Zhao Qian has a Mystic Martial Realm father and might possess some powerful trump card.

"Do you have a trump card, and you think I don’t?" Xiao Ye sneered, holding not only the Xuanqi Flame Saber but also a Sealing Jade Talisman from a Mystic Martial Realm powerhouse.

He didn’t activate the Flame Saber, nor did he unsheathe it, not even the Vice Sect Leader could detect it was a Xuan Artifact. He carried it just in case.

If Zhao Qian used some rule-breaking trump card, he certainly wouldn’t hold back, and they would see who was more ruthless.

At the palace where Xiao Ye resided, he took out a Primordial Stone and started his cultivation.

Suddenly, Xiao Ye opened his eyes, a trace of concern in his gaze.

"For some reason, I always feel restless, as if something big will happen tomorrow," Xiao Ye murmured to himself.

It felt as if an invisible dark hand was covering him, suffocating him, and as time passed, this feeling grew stronger.

"Never mind, better to keep cultivating." Xiao Ye forcibly calmed himself down and continued his cultivation.

The next morning, as ancient bells tolled throughout Chongyang Mountain, all disciples rushed to the Great Competition Square.

When the four Black Robed Elders and the Vice Sect Leader arrived together, the fourth round officially began.

This fourth round would screen for the top five ranks, still decided by drawing lots, totaling only five bouts.

Xiao Ye drew number five, perfectly being the last to go on stage.

The first to come on stage, astonishingly, was the white-robed Zhao Qian!

When people saw Zhao Qian’s opponent, their expressions turned somewhat peculiar.

It was a man about twenty-seven years old, named Qi Yun, a disciple under the Second Elder, known for being silent and very low-key, quite the opposite of the flamboyant Zhao Qian.

But anyone familiar with him knew that Qi Yun was extremely powerful; four years ago, he had already defeated one of the young talents on the Hidden Dragon List. In this competition among direct disciples, he defeated every opponent with just three moves each time.

An opponent in the middle stage of the Innate Realm Eighth Layer—three moves!

An opponent in the late stage of Innate Realm Eighth Layer—three moves!

And an opponent in the early stage of the Innate Realm Ninth Layer—still three moves!

Despite Qi Yun’s low profile, he had caught attention, since anyone with sense could see Qi Yun’s strength.

Therefore, Qi Yun was considered one of the direct disciples most likely to make it into the top three, definitely not inferior to Wentian.

"Qi Yun will definitely force Zhao Qian to reveal his cultivation level!" The spectating disciples became excited, as the competition among direct disciples got increasingly thrilling toward the end; this first match today already promised a great duel.

Facing an opponent like Zhao Qian, Qi Yun didn’t dare to be careless and immediately unleashed a powerful aura, his formidable power fluctuations overwhelming.

"Innate Realm Ninth Layer Middle Stage, Qi Yun’s cultivation is indeed not inferior to Wentian!" The spectating disciples’ eyes lit up, then they all turned to look at Zhao Qian.

But Zhao Qian, in his fluttering white robe, appeared otherworldly, extremely detached.

"You all really want to know my cultivation level, don’t you? Well, now I’ll let you feel it firsthand," Zhao Qian said haughtily, as a terrifyingly powerful force surged straight into the heavens, tearing apart the sky.

Suddenly, fierce winds arose, sand and stones flew about, the ground shook and the mountains tremored, and intense light made even the sun pale in comparison.

"Innate Realm Ninth Layer Late Stage!" Qi Yun’s face showed horror.